Improvement in systems of lighting



4Sheets-Sheet 3. E. J. MOLERA 8v J. C. GEBRIAN. System of Llghtlng i am.. 2g

Patentcjpfil 29, 1.879.

qw H7 1 n N E Es 4 sheetssheet 4-. N.

`13.J.1\/I0LERA su J. 0. GEBRIA System of Lighting. .No. 214,835. Patented April 29,1879.

v INVENTORS if/JM@ N.PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D (L UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE;

ESEBIUS J. MOLERA JOHN O.`OEBRIAN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, OAL.

IMPROVEMENT IN SYSTEMS OF LIGHTING.-

Specification forming part of Letterslatent N0. 214,835, dated April 29, 1879; application filed V July 25, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EUsEBrUs J. MOLERA and JOHN O.`GEBRIAN, of San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems of Lighting; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such'as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

Our invention relates to a system of lighting, and is designed to provide an improved process and apparatus whereby illumination is obtained by transmitting beams of light from a suitable source in respectively different lines of direction to the several points at which the light is desired for use.

This system of lighting is adapted for any kind or source of light, and is especially intended for the strong artificial lights, such as the electric, calcium, -and zirconia lights.

Heretofore the electric light, although intrinsically much cheaper than gas-light, has not obtained in Vgeneral use for` several reasons, prominent among which is its characteristie ofintense brilliancy, whichis oppressive to the human eye. lt is found, however, that in attempting to reduce this insuiierable brilliancy the proportionate cost of the electric light is largely increased, which results from three reasons: First, the less the intensity of the light, the greater is the proportion of the motor required in developing the electric current, second, the more an electric current is subdivided, the larger is the percentage of its waste; third, the regulator required by all electric lights costs more in proportion as the intensity ofthe light is reduced; also, when the electric an d other strong lights are applied for scenic effect in theatrical performances and analogous cases, where different and varied shades and degrees ot' illumination are required, a difficulty has been experienced by reason of the insuiliciency of the means employed to accomplish the purpose inview.

Some of :the objections above noted as to the use of the electric light do not apply to the calcium, zirconia, and other strong lights, which, however, in addition to such defects as they may have in common with the electric light, are subject to others peculiar to themselves.

Our invention is intended to obviate these objections to any of the above-named lights, and to provide a system of lighting whereby a more or less extensive illumination may be most advantageously obtained.

The invention consists, first, in a method ot' forming and transmitting luminous beams respectively composed of parallel rays from a suitable source, and independently varying the size of said beams, so as to cause the same to be applied for use in greater or less volume of light at any one point; second, in amethod of collecting all the light emanating from a i suitable source, conducting the same in beams respectively composed of parallel rays through different paths, changing or adjusting said paths, as desired, and nally passing the light out for use in pencils of converging or diverg-` ing rays; third, in the combination, with apparatus which form and transmit a luminous beam having parallel rays, ot an adjustable prism adapted to retract said beam, so that its path may be changed in part or in whole, as desired; fourth, in the combination, with apparatus which form and transmit a luminous beam having parallel rays, of adjustableconvex and concave lenses adapted tofpasjssaid beam out for use in eitherva convergent or di-f vergent luminous pencil, as desired; frifthof a series of lenses and prisms whichjform and transmit luminous beams respectivelyfcomposed of parallel rays from a suitablesource,I in combination with a series of convex mid concave lenses, which latter are moved or interchan ged at will the several beams to pass out either the convex or the concavV of achamber formed of lenses which inclose a suitablejysoifi'r flight, and pass the latter out in beamsrespectively composed of parallel rays,i" combination :with adjustable prisms adapte ointercept, in part or in whole, as desired,lt gse'yeral beams of light which emerge gironiV-Y id'fjchamber; seventh, of a series-#offjqlenti and adjustable prisms, which foi*` Baud ansmit luminous beams respectively in different lnesvo adapted-Sto be 1 sed of parallel rays tion from a suitable beams, or a part thereof, and thereby color or modify the same; eighth, in the combination, with apparatus which form and transmit a luminous beam having parallel rays, together with adjustable means to change the path of said beam, of movable substances or media adapted to intercept said beam, in whole or in part, and color or modify the light of the same; ninth, in combination with an angular passage capablel of transmitting light from a suitable source to any given point or points, an adjustable device located at or suitably near to the angle of said passage, and adapted to direct the light, in whole or in part, into the branch or branches of the same; tenth, in the combination, with a series of tubes capable of transmitting light from a suitable source in a prescribed line 0r lines, of adjustable devices adapted to change-the direction of the light, in whole or in part, within said tubes.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a View representing our invent-ion as applied to a building having two stories, an attic, and a cellar. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the attic. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view through line x y of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view, representing, in a larger scale, the disposition of the light at A in Fig. 1, and also our iioating regulator for the carbon lights, in instance of electric light. Figs. 5 and 6 represent modiflcations of the prismatic devices. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail sectional views, representing one manner of employing the lenses which finally apply the beams of light for use. Fig. 9 illustrates the principle of that part of our invention which relates to conducting beams of light through inclosed passages to the several places at which the same may be desired for use.

It is supposed in these figures that an electric light is used and placed in the attic at A. The lightjis inclosed by ve Fresnel lenses, which vvwill concentrate the light in iive beams of parallel `(or nearly parallel) rays of light, m n o p q,jwhich, in `our drawings, are at right angles. fl-The beams of light m n, Fig. l, are intersected at differentheights by the rectangular prisms B C D EjF, which will bend said beams downwardinto several vertical partial beams, b c def. The beam b, for instance, will pierce j threngh an openinggin the ceiling of` room R and illuii-nateit.` Y, The beam e will go through an opening'in ,thefpartition-wall G down to the ceiling of roomS and will illuminate it. The beam c will bepartially intersected by prism H, and will be bent horizontally into the beam i, going alongthefspace of the oor between the beams injth e ceiling of room T. A prism at K will bend \the beam again downward, and it will illuminate the room T. The other portion of beam 4c will go downward and illuminate the cell" I? U. 1f the prism H had been placed lowerd own,the beam c would have been benttoward zheloom T, entering it through an openingin the wallV instead of an opening in the ceiling. If the prisms mentioned are suitably adjusted, we may collect in a room the light of ltwo or more rooms, or we may diminish the inten sity of said light or leave any of the rooms in the dark. For instance, if prism C is raised by means of a cord, a, and pulleys al, or by any other means, it will reflect a larger portion of the beam m, or the whole of it 5 then the light of R will decrease or disappear, and the lights at T and U will increase. lf said prism C is lowered. the reverse will happen-the light at T and U will decrease and that of R will increase; and when (lis put down altogether, T and U will be left in thev dark. In the same Way, by moving the prism H sidewise, we may send part of the light of T to U,'and vice versa,'or we may leave one of them in the dark. A corresponding motion of the other prisms will produce similar effects in other rooms.

Fig. 2 shows how the two beams of light o p are intersected by the standing prisms P Q M Naud divided into four beams, s r tu, parallel to m n, and will be handled in a way similar to the latter ones.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the beam t uof Fig. 2. At m n p there are three prisms so disposed that the beam u is divided into the vertical downward beam z and the vertical upward beam r, which is bent again horizontally into the beam w, which may be sent outside the liouse-to light the street, for instance.

The vertical upward beam q of Fig. l may be treated similar to the vertical upward beam c of Fig. 3, as shown of Fig. v1, or might be used any place higher up than the attic. After havingshown how the light may be distributed, to complete our system, it remains to be seen how the last beams of light may be handled. They come into the places to be lighted in beams of rays practically parallel 5 then they are intersected by convenient lenses, which we will call secondary lenses. According to the shape, curvature, and inclination of these` lenses, the beam will be concentrated into any desired place, andV even into a point, as in room R, Fig. 1, or it will be diffused into a diverging cone, as shown in the other rooms of the same gure, and it may be sent to the iioor alone, or to a wall, or up to the ceiling, or up to a certain height alone-to a workingtable, for instance, to a sewing-machine, &c.

In combination with the lenses or prisms, we may use some substances calculated to modify the light in any of its chemical and physical properties. For in stance, if, together with a lens or prism, we use a substance that allows the rays of light to pass and absorb all the heatas a solution of alum, for instance- Athen we may exclude the heat of the light from one "or more rooms or places. lf we use, instead, a iiuorescent substance for the extra violet rays of light-as a solution of sulphate of quinine, for instance-we will increase the brilliancy of light. If we use a substance that allows the rays of heat" to pass and not the luminous rays-as a solution of iodine in carbon bisulphide, for in'stance--we can obtain a certain amount of heat in the room. If we want the light ot' a certain color, as sometimes is needed in certain ophthalmic diseases and `for some operations of industry, we may easilyobtain it by using aproper substance instead. All these substances we are mentioning now, and any other for similar purposes, may be placed at any pointof the coursecf the beams of light, although it seems that the most convenient and proper place is in connection with the secondary lenses, and even with the prisms.

We have illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 how a source of light, A, may be divided, subdivided, and distributed into any variable number of small4 beams of light, going upward, downward, and sidewise, all parallel or at. right anglesto each other; but by changing the inclination of the primary lenses, and of any or all the prisms, or by changing the apertures ot' the prisms, we may bend the beams of light in all possible directions, and send them into any inclination whatever.

We may have the light in the attic or cellar, or in a middle floor. It `may also be placed outside the building, as the beams of light may be sent underground through convenient pipes, tubes, or boxes, or may be sentv above ground in a similar way, or through the free space to theV building or place to be lighted.

The streets, for instance, may be lighted either by beams coming out of the buildings, or by underground pipes of light. Hollow lamp-posts, for instance, will carry partial beams of light upward, and bysome of thev ways herein explained these partial beams of light will be fashioned or handled to any purpose required. YVe represent in Fig. 9 of the drawings an illustration of the manner of use of this part of ourinvention. In instance of a mine, we may place the light on the surface or underground, and by a judicious combination of the elements and the system herein described we may send beams and cones of light into any gallery, well, incline, &c. Again, if in Fig. 1 we suppose a certain shade combined with one of the prisms or lenses, the light in the corresponding room or rooms will therefore be modified accordingly, and not in the other rooms. Consequently, if in a theater or any other building convenient movable shades are combined with the lenses or prisms which light the audience and the stage, all kinds of variable scenic effects can be produced at will.

It will be observed that by keeping the source of light away from the place to be lighted we avoid all the inconveniences and dangers arising from its proximity, such as smoke, smell, noise, heat, the foul gases ot' A combustion, liability to 4catch tire, and

therefore thissystem may be applied to all dangerous processes of industry, as powder-'1 making and others, and consequently our system is not only applicable to the few instances of lighting herein named as illustrations, but

wires. We also lrepresent the case of a magneto-electric machine being moved by a hydraulic motor of a constant pressure.

Y is the tank on top ofthe building. 'Its Wateris led into a water-wheel, V, of any description, and then falls into a well, V. A pump' of any construction, and moved by any kind of motor, Z, raises the water back from the well tothe tank Y. The water-wheel Y transmits its motion to Z.

Any irregularity of the motor Zl will produce a lsmall difference of level in tank Y, and there' ffore the work ot' the magneto-electric machine Z will not beas irregular as it' moved directly `by motor Z.

Anotherl advantage of this arrangement is, that if the tank Y is left full every time that the lights are pnt out, by sim-` ply turning a water-cockconveniently placed we may set wheel V in motioii"instantlyand therefore we may have the lights lighted at af" moments notice, without waiting for the motor Z' being started; but it is wellundlerstood that this hydraulic motor may be substituted by any other kind of motive power or any combinations of motors; also, the magneto- 'l electricrmachine Z may be substituted by any other means of producing an electric light;

also, the electric light A may be substituted by any other kind oi'light, as calcium, zirconia, -or anyother; and in all cases the previouslyexplained disposition or system of illumina- Vtion may be adopted.

We further desire to be understood in that we lay no claim to the hydraulic-motor device in combination with a magneto-electric machine in this patent, but reserve all right of invention therein for a separate application for Letters Patent hereafter to be made.

Even the solar light may be handled in a `manner similarl to that:justwvlpreviously de. scribed for accomplishin'gthepurpose 1n view.

The solar light has tofbefconicentrated in a focus or beam by meanslof proper reiiectors or lenses, or both, or anyotherlway; and the beam or focus of light-kthus."obtained is operated upon as we have he unexplained..

Fig. 4 shows in a larg tion of thel light at Affo Figi-lf, and also a regulator for the electric y ""ndlesi M is a hollow stand partially filled-vit some liquid. a and b are the two cai-boxf-f-forinstance, the positive and the negati They are guidedV scalelthe disposicarbon burns out any portion of its length its iloat will raise up an equal portion to regain its equilibrium, and therefore both carbons will keep their burning ends constantly at the same height, and the'focus of the electric light will be stationary. It' a kaolin candle or any other kind of candle is used, a float made on the same principle will answer the same purpose; but it is well understood that in oursystem of lighting any other kind of electric regulator may be used instead of the floating one just described; and We also desire to be understood as laying no claim to said regulator in this patent, but reserve all right of invention therein for a separate application for Letters Patent hereafter to be made by us.

In the same figure, (4,) Lis the electric arc. c d e are the sections of the primary lenses. Their curvature and the number of their steps will vary according to the size of light or their own. Each of them may be made solid or hollow, or filled with liquid of one piece or of several pieces, orv else they may be substituted by any kind of lenses or combination Y oflens'es thamffill collect the light in beams of parallel (or nearly parallel) rays of light. There may be five lenses, as represented, or any other number, and at any inclination whatever, according to the requirements oi' each case. At the bottom, r r, a reilector is used to collect all the rays of light inside of cone r Zi', which are sent up to the lens c to be used afterward. Said reflector may be substituted by several reflectors sending the rays to any lens. Said reflectors may be used at the bottom or in. some other point, or said reiiector or reflectors may be dispensed with, because the cone r l r is made very small, or for any other cause. The space inclosed by the primary lenses and reflectors r we will call the chamber of light, and said chamber may have one 'or more openings. At C D E are shown three shapes or kinds of prisms. C is solid, made of glass or any other convenient or proper substance. D is a hollow box of similar material, or filled with any convenient liquid, in which case we may easily use any of the substaiilces of the kinds hereinbefore mentionedlin order to modify the light. E is made of` a series of smaller prisms having a common face', or put and kept together in any Wise in a shape `similar to the drawings. The common'face may e substituted by a series of smaller ones pla yed all parallel to each other. Theyffmay 4-be-:each solid or hollow. All the prismsused in our system may be made of any Qangleor-aperture, although the rectangular shape is the most convenien t on account ofthe small vpercentage of light lost by refraction and of the purity of the color of light. All these prisms may also be substi-4 tuted by properly-inclined mirrors of any convenient size, material, or construction. They also may be substituted by conical lenses, formed by the revolution of the section of such prisms, or by a lens whose transverse section is the section of any such prisms as `we have shown orthographically projected in Figs. 5 and 6; and said prisms may also be substituted by any combination of optical prisms, or by any geometrical bodies generated by the sections of such prisms, or by any combination of both. All said prisms may be set stationary, or in any way movable, and their m0- tion produced by any means whatever, and in all cases they may form a part of our general system of lighting.

Figs. 7 and 8 show one way of using the secondary lenses to finally apply the beams of light to practice.

ever. Their bottoms are of glass-one concave, the other convex-and they are iilled with some liquid. The figures show the case the light will be concentrated into a convergin g cone.

The boxes B C may be iilled with anymaterial for the purpose of modifying the light, as hereinbei'ore explained. In these iigures the boxes B C are supposed to be placed between the spaces of the ceiling-beams, or in a pipe or box for the purpose; but they may be placed in any other way by means of cords r r', by pulleys and rollers, or by any other means. They may slide sidewise, so as to be able to have in the same room -two or more alternate shapes of light, if required. These secondary lenses may be made of any convenient material, and of any curvature or any combinationl of curvatures, varying with the purposes required, and the substances that modify the properties or circumstances of light, whether solid or liquid, may be made of any shape and size whatever, and stationary or movable.

Having fully described our invention, what B and C are two cylindrical boxes, kept in a frame of any form whatspectively composed of parallel rays through different paths, changing or adjusting said paths as desired, and finally passing the light out for use in pencils of converging or diverging rays, substantially as set forth.

3. In'an illuminating apparatus, the combination, with suitable devices for subdividing the main body of light into any desired number of beams,.each composed of parallel rays, of suitable means arranged to intercept the several beams of light and direct them to any desired points, substantially as set forth.

4. In a system of lighting, the combination, with apparatus which form and transmit a luminous beam having parallel rays, of an adjustable prism, or its equivalent, adapted to refract said beam, so that its path may be changed in part or in Whole, as desired, substantially as set forth.

5. In a system of lighting, the'combination, with apparatus which form and transmit a luminous beam having parallel rays, of adjustable convex and concave lenses adapted to, pass said beam out for use in either a convergent or divergent luminous pencil, as desired, substantially as set forth.

6. A system of lighting consisting of a series of lenses and prisms, which form and transmit luminous beams respectively composed of parallel rays from a suitable source, in combination with a series of convex and concave lenses, which latter are adapted to be moved or interchan ged at will, so as to cause the several beams to pass out for use through either the convex or the concave lenses, substantially as set forth. A

7. In a system of lighting, a chamber formed of lenses and reectors which inelose a suitable source of light, and pass the latter out in beams respectively composed of parallel rays, in combination with adjustable prisms, or their equivalent, adapted to intercept, in part or in whole, as desired, the several beams of 'light spectively composed of parallel rays in different lines of direction from a suitable source,

Vin combination with a series of interchangeable convex and concave lenses, and media or substances adapted to interceptsaid beams,

or a part thereof, and therebycolor or modify the same, substantially as setforth.

9. In a system of lighting. the combination, with apparatus which form and transmit a luminous beam having parallel rays, together With adjustable means to change the path of said beam, of movable substances ormedia adapted to intercept said beam,in Whole or in part, and color or modify the light of the same, substantially as set forth.

f 10. In a system 'of lighting, the combination, with an angular passage capable of transmitting light from a suitable source to any given point or points, of an4 adjustable device located at or suitably near to the angle of said passage, and adapted to direct the light, in whole or in part, into the branch or branches of the same, substantially as set fortlh.V

ll. In a system of lighting. the combination, with a series of tubes capable of transmitting light from a suit-able source in a prescribed line or lines, of adjustable devices adapted to change the direction of the light, in Whole or inbpart, Within said tubes, substantially as set forth. A

In testimony that We claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our hands this 11th day lWitnesses:

THOMAS D. GRAHAM, F. WEGENER. 

